Varicose Veins/Venous Insufficiency: Not Just a Cosmetic Problem
One of the most common circulatory system problems affecting individuals of all ages is venous insufficiency, also known as “Venous Reflux Disease”. This occurs when one-way valves in the leg veins begin to fail and become leaky. This causes blood to pool in the legs and can lead to the development of large protruding leg veins, known as varicose veins. It can also cause a variety of painful or uncomfortable symptoms in the affected legs. Some of the most common of these symptoms are leg pain, leg fatigue and heaviness, swelling and skin itching. In severe cases, this can lead to permanent defects in the appearance and integrity of the skin and even the development of wounds, called venous leg ulcers.
It is estimated that 20 to 40 million Americans suffer from venous insufficiency. Both men and women are affected. The most common risk factors are occupations that require standing, a family history of varicose veins, pregnancy, being overweight and increasing age. However, some affected individuals do not have any of these risks. The diagnosis of venous reflux disease is made with physical examination and painless Doppler ultrasound testing.
Advances in treatment now make relief of the symptoms and appearance of varicose veins possible without the need for hospitalization or painful vein stripping surgery. For some people, wearing special venous support stockings will help control symptoms. However, when stockings alone are not sufficient, or when individuals require a more permanent solution to varicose veins, new minimally invasive office procedures can often be used to cure venous reflux disease and its symptoms.
One of the most effective treatments for venous reflux disease is the VNUS Closure® Procedure. This is a remarkable procedure that treats the abnormal veins with radiofrequency (RF) energy. The RF energy is delivered through a device called a catheter that is inserted into the diseased vein. This causes the vein to close down, essentially removing it from the circulation. The body then redirects the blood into the normal leg veins. This eliminates the venous reflux, markedly relieving the symptoms and often improving the appearance of the varicose veins as well. The procedure is performed in a comfortable office setting and takes about 30 minutes. There are usually no incisions or sutures. General anesthesia is not required. Patients typically experience minimal discomfort and are able to return to their usual activities in about a day or two.
Dr. Alvarado and his Board Certified partners, Thomas Barnett, M.D., FACS and Samuel M. Wilson, M.D., FACS, of Surgical Associates, P.A., have been successfully performing the VNUS Closure Procedure since 2005.
If you are experiencing the signs or symptoms of varicose veins and venous reflux disease, the physicians of Surgical Associates at Eden Hill are available to help. Call (302) 674-0600 for a consultation.
Testimonials:
“I was surprised at how quick it took, and really pain free and that’s not an exaggeration it was pain free.” ~Kate S., Dover, DE
“I had torturous veins. Now they’re really flat… The appearance is much better.” ~Joan L., Viola, DE
“I tell anyone who has these not to put off treatment. Literally, the next day, it was like a miracle.” ~Jim W., Smyrna, DE
“I was shocked at how quickly I recovered. I was on the phone with my office as soon as I got home from the hospital. I’ve had more discomfort after a dental appointment than I had after this procedure.” ~John D., Elkton, MD
Dr. Cristobal Alvarado earned his undergraduate degree from Haverford College in 1987. He then earned his medical degree with Honors in Research from the New York University School of Medicine in 1991. Over the next ten years, he pursued residency training in General Surgery, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at New York University Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital. In the middle of this period, he paused for a two year sabbatical as an NIH Scholar in Academic Surgery researching xenotransplatation under the support of Dr. David Sabiston at Duke University as an instructor and fellow in thoracic transplantation. Prior to coming to Dover, he held a position as an attending heart and lung transplant surgeon at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, FL, one of the busiest transplant programs in the Southeast. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is Board Certified in Surgery and Thoracic Surgery.
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